Bad Brad’s Not Too Bad
by Levi | October 14, 2007 | 15 Comments
(votes: 11, average: 3.27) 
Loading ...Bad Brad’s BBQ is located at 700 West Main in Historic downtown Yukon, 20 minutes west of Oklahoma City. Open for lunch and dinner, you can contact them at (405) 354-2122, or visit their website.
What was once a poor man’s meal has become a rare delicacy in the world. Though my own granddad may have bought it for a nickel at the general store each week, it’s not something one sees regularly anymore. Yet one place dares to serve it, not apologizing for its brazen attempt to bring back what was once thought extinct. Ladies and gentlemen, I am speaking of thick-sliced, moist, smoked bologna!
Just past the quaint, but well kept, downtown Yukon grain elevator and old-fashioned brick buildings is the best “west side” barbecue anyone could ask for. Standing in stark contrast to the over-smoked, dried-out meats of other BBQ joints in west Oklahoma City (I won’t name specific places, but one rhymes with Moklahoma Nation), Yukon’s Bad Brad’s serves up moist, tender cuts of bologna, turkey, chicken, and ribs. They carry the standard BBQ love affairs – beans, potato salad, baked potatoes. It’s not innovation, but execution that makes Brad’s stand out amongst the masses. Their food is, in a word, delicious!
If you can get past the kitchen staff’s love of chaos (somtetimes slow) and the waitstaff’s precocious, direct attitude, you will love the home cooking that Bad Brad’s brings to Oklahoma. On top of that, it is actually more affordable than most BBQ restaurants in the area. Most meals are under 10 dollars. Try the cobbler a la mode, in multiple fruit options. Brad’s is worth the drive. Just take historic Route 66 through Bethany. Who knows? You might see something new…
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So far, 15 people have responded to this article. Won't you join in?May 14th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I’ve eaten there several times and yes the service isn’t always the quickest or the nicest but their hot/spicy bbq sauce is the best I’ve found. Worth a drive to Yukon some time for sure.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
I have mixed feelings about Bad Brad’s. I have had it only a couple of times, but the food has been inconsistent each time….one time flavorful and tender, and tne next time bland and tough.
October 31st, 2008 at 10:25 am
I live in Yukon and have tried Bad Brad’s a few times. I have to say that it’s not one of the better BBQ joints in the city area. I haven’t been impressed with anything on the menu. Stay away from the pulled pork, it’s pretty nasty here.
January 27th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I tried to go last sunday. They are closed on sunday. A resturant no-no. I will not try again.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Bad Brad’s is awesome. Best BBQ in the state. Hands down. This guy named Mike above doesn’t know what the heck he is talking about. Bad Brad’s doesn’t even have pulled pork, they have pork tenderloin. And it’s delicious. And for Tyler…Chick-fil-a is closed on Sundays and they do pretty well. It’s probalby for religious beliefs anyway. Is it that bad to allow your staff to go to CHURCH!!!!
May 15th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Hey Tommy
I don’t each Chick-fil-a either, but for a different reason; the food is gross. I don’t care if it’s for church or a little league game. You should be open on sunday.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I’m still plenty pissed that it took the place of Taco Mayo. (Taco Mayo on Czech Fest days are a cherished childhood memory of mine).
But, I have to say I’ve enjoy Bad Brad’s every time I’ve gone there.
July 30th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I know this review site is about okc restaurants, but if you are going to compare “Que” joints then you will have to take the short drive to “Smokin Joes” in Davis Ok. so that you will know what the Gold std. of good “Que” is then make your comparison based on that ( If you still feel there is one) they are closed on Sundays and Wednsdays, church you see!!
September 14th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I’m guessing you haven’t been to Mud Creek yet Wimpy.
I’ve eaten at Smokin Joes twice… First time I ate there it temporarily jumped to the top of my BBQ list.
Second time I ate there they slipped a few notches.
Odd thing is that the first time I ate there was at an off peak time… Around 2:30 on a Saturday. The food was great and the portions were huge!
The second time I ate there was at between noon and 1:00 PM. This is when a BBQ joint should be pulling their best meats off the smoker…. Not sure what happened that day but it wasn’t as good.
I don’t usually expect to get top notch Q at even the best of BBQ joints during the off peak times due to the inherent nature of holding BBQ at safe temperatures for long periods of time taking away from it’s quality.
So while I was amazed at the quality of my first trip to Joes at an off-peak time. I was left underwhelmed with my second trip due to some inconsistency.
With all that said…. If I’m in Davis and hungry for Q… I’m probably gonna go to Joe’s. If I’m gonna make a road trip for Q…. Well I’m gonna take a right on Hwy 70 when I get to Ardmore and head on over to Ringling to the Mud Creek Outpost.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Thanks for the tip CofN, it’ll be my next Q stop sounds like Mud Creek is worth a try! Now where is my map? Ringling you say,I’ll check it out can’t be to many Q joints!! “Wimpy”
October 4th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
When you enter town you’ll see a sign that says…
Welcome to Ringling
(See other side)
….the other side says.
Thanks for Visiting Ringling
November 21st, 2009 at 4:35 am
Mmmmnn. Bad Brads. My in-laws pick up a couple pounds of chopped pork when we come to dinner sometimes. Pretty good meat. Great hot sauce! We’ve had the brisket as well and it’s good too. Not too greasy, not a whole bunch of fat chopped up with it. Didn’t know they had bologna! I’ll have to request that next time my MIL orders it!
I’ve heard Smokin’ Joe’s is pretty damn good but it makes me happy when I know I’m getting Bad Brad’s.
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:05 pm
I have eaten at Bad Brads about 5 times, and it is some of the best bbq around for sure. But If you want the best ribs this side of Memphis, go to Mr Tee’s in Nicoma Park. I have been on a quest to find the best bbq in the state as I travel alot for work and NOBODY even comes close to the ribs at Mr Tee’s. And their sauce is pretty awesome too.
January 25th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
If you want great BBQ you’ve got to go to Swadley’s. This is OKC’s best kept secret. Their locations are not the best but if you can find them you won’t be sorry. Try the ribs…tender yet not dried out. They recently upgraded their hot sauce…wow!! All sides are made fresh and the staff can’t be beat. They invented Southern Hospitality.
March 6th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Went to brad’s once. Staff was slow, not friendly. Food was ok but small portions compared to Swadleys. I didn’t like the experience and felt like I paid too much. I have no plans of going back.
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